“Hendrix” was recently diagnosed with Wobbler Syndrome and given steroid, muscle relaxers, and pain medication. This treatment had a positive effect but it’s not really getting the job done. Surgery was suggested if the current treatment fails. He is big -105 lbs – red Doberman of 3 yrs, very strong and playful. I think recovery from an invasive procedure would be difficult for him. -Ted

Mitch Williamson

Maria Lombide Ezpeleta

Day 1 – Titi, a Doberman female could not walk or even move. Note in above picture the swelling around her neck and her swollen closed right eye.

Day 2 – Vet visited and gave her injections – antibiotics and cortisone. First suggestion of Wobblers Syndrome.

Day 5 – Vet came back. Titi was no better. She had no feeling in her legs and could not lift her head.

Day 6 – Vet again looked at Titi and expressed no hope of recovery.

Day 7 – New Vet conducted blood tests to rule out any other cause BUT Wobbler Syndrome. Second vet said a myelogram was not advisable due to Titi’s deteriorated condition.

A myelogram uses a special dye (contrast material) and X-rays (fluoroscopy) to make pictures of the bones and the fluid-filled space (subarachnoid space) between the bones the spine (spinal canal). A myelogram may be done to find a tumor, an infection, problems with the spine such as a herniated disc, or narrowing of the spinal canal caused by arthritis.

Day 8 –Blood test confirm by default that it is Wobbler Syndrome. An X-Ray is taken to ascertain where the damage to Titi’s neck was located and in what form it was.

Treatment commenced with the second Vet echoing the first vet appraisal of the outcome –prognosis – no hope for Titi! Antibiotics and cortisone injections. More of the same non-healing and non-progressive conventional Vet treatment.

Maria began her search for an alternative treatment.

She found on the internet a successful treatment by an acupuncture-trained Vet in California. The search then went on to find someone in Spain doing similar work. The only Vets located were in Barcelona in the north of Spain, nowhere near practical for treatment from Granada, south of Spain.

Dr. Acuña

However searching brought her to a medical practitioner and surgeon who also practiced acupuncture.

After reviewing the California Wobbler-acupuncture websites, seeing to keep the patient’s neck warmly and firmly wrapped, Maria on her own initiative made a makeshift collar for Titi.

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In mid-May 2008 Maria Lombide awoke to find her Doberman female ‘Titi’, 7 years old, could not walk and showed obvious signs of distress and illness. To her dismay Titi was diagnosed by three local Veterinary Surgeons with “Wobbler Syndrome”. The vets had no hope of any recovery for Titi.

However Maria was NOT going to accept this and looked for alternatives.

She found a Medical Doctor and Surgeon who also practiced Acupuncture and Natural Healing.

Dr Acuña has treated Titi since 22nd May, 2008 when she had to be carried to his surgery, till last treatment as of Friday 18th July 2008, where she leap out of the car at home, and ran – somewhat clumsily – up the 18 steps of the outside stairs!

This website is both a celebration of a healing process and a guide for those seeking assistance when their dogs are affected by Wobbler Syndrome.

PLEASE NOTE THIS WEBSITE is now at http://www.syllysylvia.com/

This site was created to tell the story of Sylvia and the alternative treatment used in the healing of Wobblers, (as prescribed by several veterinarians, both conventional and holistic). It is meant to provide information for those who prefer to avoid invasive treatment (spinal surgery), and I have included the names of Sylvia’s veterinarians for those who wish to pursue the information further. Along with this, is information on Sylvia’s diet, supplements,and vaccination protocolthat I have followed. A more detailed story appears in the Summer and Fall ’99 issues of Doberman Quarterly. A further update can be found in the Fall 2001 issue.

SYLVIA is a rescue we adopted in March 1995 when she was 14 months old. She’s a wild clown whose antics have provided fodder for the “Sylly Syl” stories in the Doberman Quarterly and The Doberman Annual. She participates in obedience and agility and her story can be enjoyed at: Sylvia and Mo……on the web.

In late December 1998, I noticed that she was slipping on our hardwood floors, but other than that, she was as active as ever. Having had one bitch with wobblers, Syl’s symptoms were so different that I assumed she just needed an adjustment. So off we went to Dr. Bill Connolly who practices sports medicine.

In watching her move, he saw something far more serious. An x-ray sent to the University of Georgia resulted in his recommendation for a myleogram and surgery at the University. I explained that while he knew medicine, I knew my dog and her personality would not handle the required months of inactivity following surgery, nor did I want to proceed with such invasive treatment. I told him that I wanted to treat her with acupuncture and any other holistic means he could come up with. He agreed.

After the first set of 3 treatments we began a weekly routine. On the first of these visits, Dr Connolly mentioned an upcoming seminar for holistic vets on gold bead implants. Dr. Terry Durkes of Marion, Indiana was coming to Atlanta in eight weeks to teach the seminar. The implants would produce a constant stimulation of the acupuncture points, eliminating the need for weekly treatments. He asked if I might be interested in implants for Sylvia, to be done by Dr Durkes at the seminar. Of course I was. READ MORE

Team Sylvia

Dr. Bill Connollyof Gwinnett Animal Hospital, Snellville, GA, who recommended surgery, but when I refused, picked up the ball and found someone who could address wobblers with an alternative solution. 770-972-0447

Dr Terry Durkes, Western Avenue Animal Hospital, Marion, IN who paved the way with his treatment of wobblers–implanted acupuncture beads and a neck wrap. His gentle hands and intuitive ways provided the final step in her healing process. 765-664-0734 Email: durkes1@mcleodusa.net Website: http://www.durkesanimalhospital.com/

Dr. Sandy Hedge of Briarcliff Animal Hospital, Atlanta, GA, Syl’s conventional vet, who trains with us and knew that Sylvia’s personality was not suited for conventional methods. 404-874-6393

Janine Adams wrote a wonderful article on Syl’s treatment and recovery in the August 2001 issue of The Whole Dog Journal. She did a superb job interviewing me and has some wonderful quotes form her interview with Dr Durkes as well.